A local move in Guatemala City runs Q800 to Q4,500, depending mostly on furniture volume and distance. Inter-departmental moves run Q2,000-12,000. International moves (Guatemala-USA, for example) start at $1,200 USD and can climb past $8,000+. Prices vary enormously by company, route, and whether you need professional packing or just transport.
This guide gives you real price ranges based on published rate sheets (Transfalc is one of the few Guatemalan companies that actually publishes prices), verified quotes from local companies, and user experience. It also covers how to avoid the most common scams.
Quick summary: Small local move (1 room): Q800-1,500. 2-bedroom apartment: Q1,500-3,000. 3-4 bedroom house: Q3,000-6,000. Inter-departmental: multiply by 1.5-2.5x. International: starts at $1,200 USD.
Local Move (Within the Same City or Department)
Price Ranges by Size
| Move type | Approx. volume | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 room / studio | 5-10 m³ | Q800-1,500 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 10-15 m³ | Q1,200-2,200 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 15-20 m³ | Q1,800-3,200 |
| 2-3 bedroom house | 20-30 m³ | Q2,500-4,500 |
| 3-4 bedroom house | 30-40 m³ | Q3,500-6,500 |
| Large 4+ bedroom house | 40+ m³ | Q5,000-9,500 |
These ranges apply within Guatemala City or between nearby municipalities (max 30 km). They cover loading, transport, and unloading. Professional packing is quoted separately.
What Drives the Price
- Volume (measured in cubic meters or estimated truckloads) — the biggest factor
- Distance between origin and destination — within the capital, extra kilometers add Q100-500
- Access — second floor without an elevator adds Q300-1,500; third floor or higher adds more
- Day of the week — weekends are 20-40% more expensive
- Month — December, January, and end-of-month are peak season (20-30% more)
- School calendar — late January and early August (school cycle changes) have high demand
- Professional packing — adds 30-80% to the total
- Interim storage — if you need to store between origin and destination for a few days, add Q500-2,500
- Special items — pianos, safes, gym equipment, large artwork have special rates
Main Local Companies
Transfalc is one of the few Guatemalan companies that publishes its prices online, which makes it a useful benchmark. From their April 2026 rate sheet:
| Transfalc local move type | Published price |
|---|---|
| Mini move (1 room) | From Q800 |
| Standard move (small apartment) | Q1,500-2,500 |
| Full move (mid-sized house) | Q2,800-4,500 |
Source: Transfalc Local Move Rates — verified April 2026
Other formal companies in the market: Royal Mudanzas, Coordinadora Mudanzas, Mudanzas Rápidas, and various family-run operations working out of warehouses in zones 12 and 7. Most don’t publish prices; you have to call or WhatsApp for a quote.
Informal Moves (“Fletes”)
An informal move via a fletero (a guy with a pickup or van) typically runs:
- Pickup with one helper — Q300-600 per short trip, Q500-1,000 per day
- Mid-sized truck with 2 helpers — Q600-1,200 per trip, Q1,000-2,000 per day
- Per-room flat service — Q200-500 depending on volume
Pros: cheap, flexible, easy to coordinate. Cons: no insurance, no guarantees, your furniture rides on a handshake. If something breaks, you have no recourse. For important moves, the formal-company premium is worth it.
Inter-Departmental Moves
Moves between departments (Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango, or Cobán to Antigua, etc.):
| Approximate route | Price range (apartment / mid-sized house) |
|---|---|
| Guatemala City - Antigua (30 min) | Q2,000-4,500 |
| Guatemala City - Panajachel (3 hrs) | Q3,500-7,000 |
| Guatemala City - Quetzaltenango (4 hrs) | Q4,500-9,000 |
| Guatemala City - Cobán (4 hrs) | Q4,500-9,500 |
| Guatemala City - Puerto Barrios (6 hrs) | Q6,000-12,000 |
| Guatemala City - Flores/Petén (9 hrs) | Q8,000-18,000 |
| Quetzaltenango - Cobán (cross-country) | Q7,000-15,000 |
Distance, road type, and truck size drive most of the price. Routes into Petén are especially expensive because of the distance.
International Moves
Guatemala to the USA (and back)
International moves are a different world. The main factors:
- Air vs. ocean — air is 5-10x more expensive but much faster (3-7 days vs. 30-60 days)
- Full container (FCL) vs. shared (LCL) — FCL is the full volume of a 20’ or 40’ container; LCL shares space with other shipments
- Port-to-port vs. door-to-door — full-service includes pickup at origin, transport, and delivery at destination
Typical 2026 Pricing
| Shipment type | From Guatemala to USA | From USA to Guatemala |
|---|---|---|
| Small LCL (5-10 m³) | $1,200-$2,800 USD | $1,500-$3,500 USD |
| Mid LCL (10-20 m³) | $2,200-$4,500 USD | $2,800-$5,500 USD |
| 20’ container (28-33 m³) | $3,500-$7,000 USD | $4,500-$9,000 USD |
| 40’ container (55-65 m³) | $5,500-$12,000 USD | $7,000-$14,000 USD |
| Air freight (5 m³) | $4,000-$8,000 USD | $4,500-$9,500 USD |
Costs almost always missing from the initial quote:
- Import taxes in Guatemala (12% IVA + 5-15% DAI depending on the item)
- Customs broker fees (Q1,000-4,000 for clearance)
- Port storage if release is delayed
- Final-mile delivery
Never assume “all-in” without documentation. An international move can balloon 20-50% on surprise charges. Get everything that is and is not included confirmed in writing.
Main Companies for International Moves
- DHL Global Forwarding — global network, expensive, reliable
- FedEx — similar to DHL
- Kuehne + Nagel — ocean and air options
- Transfalc — runs Guatemala-USA routes with partners
- Local Guatemalan companies — work with US-side brokers
Professional Packing vs. DIY Packing
Pros of professional packing:
- Your furniture is protected against transit damage
- Insurance only kicks in if the company did the packing
- Saves significant time (a 2-bedroom apartment is 8-16 hours of self-packing)
Typical cost:
- Per cubic meter: Q80-200
- 2-bedroom apartment: Q1,500-3,500 extra
- 3-4 bedroom house: Q3,000-7,000 extra
Pros of DIY packing:
- Saves 25-40% of the total cost
- You control what goes in each box
- You can pack gradually over days
If you go DIY, buy heavy-duty boxes (Q15-40 each), bubble wrap, professional-grade tape, and label each box with contents and destination room.
How to Avoid Scams
- Get quotes from 3 companies before hiring. The spread can be 30-80% for the same service.
- Ask for an in-person walk-through for big volumes. A phone-only quote without seeing your home has a high chance of getting “revised” upward on moving day.
- Confirm the final price in writing before the first piece of furniture is loaded. A WhatsApp message with the exact amount is enough.
- Inspect your furniture on arrival. Document any damage before you sign for delivery.
- Be skeptical of companies with no physical address or only a cell phone. Serious companies have a visible office, an NIT, and a verifiable online presence.
- Ask about insurance — and read the fine print. A lot of mover “insurance” has low caps (Q5,000 total per move) that won’t cover high-value items.
High Season vs. Low Season
| Month | Demand | Price impact |
|---|---|---|
| January | Very high | +20-40% |
| February | High | +10-20% |
| March-May | Medium | Normal pricing |
| June-August | Medium-high | +5-15% |
| September-November | Low-medium | Normal or discounts |
| December | Very high | +25-50% |
If you have flexibility, a September or October move can run 20-30% less than December or January.
Sources and References
- Transfalc — Local Move Rates (published, April 2026)
- Verified quotes from Royal Mudanzas, Coordinadora Mudanzas, Mudanzas Rápidas (April 2026)
- International benchmarks from DHL, FedEx, Kuehne + Nagel for Guatemala-USA routes
- User reports from “Mudanzas Guatemala” and “Expats en Guatemala” Facebook groups
Related Guides
- Service Prices Hub — All services with price ranges
- Cost of Living in Guatemala — Full monthly budget
- How to Move to Guatemala — Full relocation guide
- Foreigner Guide to Business Formation — For corporate relocations
Information verified April 2026. Mover prices vary by company, route, and season. Always get quotes from 2-3 companies before hiring.